The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-08-24
HER PROPOSAL.

The late March SHOWS were dissolving
in ieiicate wreathes over the hills-the
maple buds were already swelling against
the sky like crimson dots, and the song
Of the blue bird heralled the advent Of
Spring over the Bleak Berkshire hills
80, Billy, isn't II nicee' said little Re
beoca Hale, as she skipped along the
road. 20, look, there's dear little strip
/ ed squirrel, with 4 bushy tail and such
I bright eyes, ike black beads. @, don't
/ YOU wish we lived out of doors al
ways?'
Becky, don't jump about so" chided
the boy, an ancient philosopher of ten
years or 50. There. knew it, you've
burst out that hole in your shoe that
sewed up carefully and one Of your nit
tens Is gone
But it isn't cold'
No, but that's no sign We never shall
have any cold weather again. Besides,
Aunt Keziah is dead"
Well, | don't care for that said the
little one, recklessly Aunt Keziah was
old and cross, and boxed our ears,
and said We were the plaques of her
life"
Yes" said Billy, slowly, . but there is
no one to take care of us now that Aunt
Keziah is dead You should consider
that, Becky
No one to take care Of u.s. echoed
Becky, standing still. 90, Billy, didn't
think of that
AIrs. Hardwood was frying doughnuts
over the great cooking stove in the back
kitchen. An immense blue and white
checked apron enshrouded her spare
form, and pocket handkerchief con
cealed her hair. Mrs. Hardwood was not
pretty at her best; IN this uniform she was
hideous.
eighteen--nineteen. said
Mrs. Hardwood, fishing the brown curis
Of paste out of the boiling liquid. @Twen-
ty and four makes two dozen. Now, Nj
ehael. who is it, and what on earth DO
they want ~
Its the two little children from Aunt
Keziah Proudfi,ot's," said Michael Hare
wood. tall, brown-faced man of thirty or
thereabouts. The old woman died last
night
"Well. what of that ?r said Mrs. Hare
wood, who had gone back to the table
and was cutting long strips of dough and
twisting them into spirals ready for the
pot of frizzing lard They'll bury her,
suppose. And after her long sickness,
the dear knows. nobody1l be 80 very
sorry"
/" But the little children What is
to become of them,r said Michael,
softly.
Why. send 'eul to the poor house,
Of course. There's nothing else to be
done, as / know Of snapped the
dame
TO the poor house, Maria. Those
pretty, delicate little children-kate
Hale's brothers children--to the poor
house -
"Well, don't see why not said Mrs.
Hardwood. Thirty four, thirty five.
Three dozen ought 10 be enough If Kate
had cared - much about her relations,
she might a-stayed to hum an looked.af-
ter 'em, instead of running away with a
ships captain and going TO China or In
dia, or kamschatka, or the Lord knows
where, after she was engaged to you, too.
And
Never mind about that now, Maria,"
sal the brother, with slight elevation
Of his eyebrows. II is all a thing of the
past and Kate could not see, when she
left her native country, that her brothers
little ones would soon be alone in the
world, orphaned and without resources. (
- it has chaHced, at all events. The
poor little things are in the sifting-room
now"
And I s'pose they've cenBe here be-
cause my husband is poor master said
Mrs. Hardwood, dropping in her fresh
batch Of doughnufs, one by one. ~Well,
he won't be home aiore noon"
Il was not thinking of that, Maria"
said Michael Harewood, gently. 1t oc-
Cured to me that, perhaps, since you
have 10 children of your own
That ia ill my house with all the
pauper children Of the neighborhood,r
said Mrs Harewood No, Michael Hare
wood, you're mistaken there. wouldn't
have Jim Hale's children in my house
after the way Kate treated you, not If I
was to be paid dollar day. And be-
sides, amt the matron of the poor
house
Then what are they to do?''
Mrs Hardwood shrugged her bony
shoulders.
Its no business of mine she said in
differently. Ner | amt going to con-
cern mvselfin il"
Michael Harewood went back to the I
room where the two little orphans were
adniiring gaudy. stuffed parrot. that
swung from the ceiling.
Children" said he, Get on your
things
Amt ms to stay here2' piteously de-
nanded Becky. . I'm 80 tired and hum
CRY. We didn't have any breakfast this !
morning"
= Please, Mr.. Harewood,r said Billy, |
Where are We to 90? Nobody wants |
u.s."
Il want you,' said Michael Hardwood,
his heart giving a great jump as he saw
Kate's old look shining out of the visit
full, upturned face of the child. You
shall be my little ones henceforth.v